New to the world of podcasting? You could be questioning, effectively, what is a podcast? And the way do they work? On this article I’ll cowl what a podcast is, what they’re used for, and the best way to get began as a podcast listener or creator.
What’s a podcast and the way do they work?
A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program which you could obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, pc, or pill and hear when it’s handy for you.
A podcast “episode” is a single occasion of a podcast, very like the episode of a TV present.
Right here’s an instance—an episode of our very personal SPI Podcast, which has been working since 2010:
For stunning, easy-to-embed podcast gamers just like the above, look no additional than Fusebox — the official podcast participant of SPI! [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Podcasts are an especially fashionable type of media that’s rising rapidly. The primary podcasts had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by corporations, information shops, and different organizations. Podcasting has change into huge enterprise, with corporations like Apple, Spotify, iHeartMedia, SiriusXM closely invested in podcasting.
For the listener, podcasts are a flexible medium! The audio-only format of podcasts makes them simple to eat in varied settings, equivalent to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You’ll be able to consider podcasts as “background” content material, however it’s also possible to give them your full consideration should you like.
Talking of content material, podcast subjects can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or children’ content material. In case you have a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, which may imply a possibility so that you can begin your individual podcast on that matter!
Podcasts are sometimes out there both in seasons with a set variety of episodes or in an ongoing collection. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media reveals like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final yr). The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to be taught podcasting the good manner?
The All-Entry Cross has the sources you want.
How podcasts began (a quick historical past of podcasting)
Podcasts have their roots again within the Eighties, however they didn’t take off till the early 2000s. In September 2000, the corporate i2Go launched a digital audio information and leisure service referred to as MyAudio2Go.com that allowed customers to obtain information, sports activities, leisure, climate, and music in episodic audio format. The next month, tech entrepreneur Tristan Louis proposed attaching sound and video recordsdata in RSS feeds (see under). This concept constructed steam over the following few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new manner of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription function to iTunes 4.9 and launched a podcast listing within the iTunes Music Retailer.
Since then, the sky has been the restrict for podcasting, with someplace between 3 and 5 million podcasts on the earth proper now!
What are podcasts used for?
So what’s the purpose or goal of a podcast? What are they good for? An entire lot!
For the listener, a podcast is a good way to study a given matter—and/or be entertained!—in a manner that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for probably the most half) and straightforward to search out, and given their rising recognition, cowl a wider and deeper vary of subjects than ever earlier than.
For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast might be monumental. Podcasts are a good way to construct and serve an viewers by entertaining and/or educating listeners on a given matter.
One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you simply get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even hundreds of thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been mentioned that podcasting is one of the simplest ways to scale intimacy and make a direct reference to every of your listeners.
What’s a podcast host and why do you want one? (How an RSS feed works)
Podcasts are made out there to listeners by way of a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of recent content material equivalent to weblog posts or, after all, podcasts.
Right here’s how that works. The podcast creator submits their podcast’s RSS feed to a listing, which makes it out there to listeners by way of a podcast app or the creator’s web site.
A podcast listener can obtain new installments or episodes of a podcast robotically by subscribing to the podcast’s RSS feed of their chosen podcast app.
However how do you create your podcast’s RSS feed?
That’s the place a podcast internet hosting platform (or podcast host for brief) is available in.
A podcast host is a service that gives a spot to retailer and distribute your podcast’s audio recordsdata by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, equivalent to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You could be pondering, Do I’ve to make use of a podcast host? Can I host my podcast on my web site? The quick reply is sure—however hear me out.
There are a number of advantages to utilizing a podcast host as a substitute of DIYing it. A podcast host can:
- Present storage to your podcast episode recordsdata, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
- Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
- Provide built-in analytics, so you’ll be able to see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.
Sure, you’ll be able to technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value cash, with these prices usually growing as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more bother than it’s value.
You may save a couple of dollars, however in our opinion, the shortage of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a nasty selection.
Fortunately, you will have loads of choices to select from in relation to podcast hosts. Our advisable platform is Fusebox, due to its ease of use and useful options. [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Different fashionable internet hosting platforms embrace Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Anchor, and Blubrry.
It’s comparatively simple to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you’ll be able to enter the small print of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month payment (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you could be pondering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may also discuss with the one that is the face and voice of a podcast. (For example, Pat is the host of the SPI Podcast.) Glad we cleared that up. 😉
Kinds of podcasts and podcast examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many various varieties! Listed here are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A bunch invitations a number of company to debate a given matter. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out company for every episode. (The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast, Armchair Skilled, Recent Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the title suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that will be spent on visitor analysis and outreach for an interview present is as a substitute directed towards analysis and preparation of the present’s content material. (Hardcore Historical past, Revolutions)
- Cohosted: A present with two or extra hosts who can present totally different personalities and views and generally humorous banter. (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Group Expertise)
- Roundtable: An expanded model of a co-hosted podcast with extra hosts who have interaction in conversations and banter round a given matter. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
- Documentary: Much like a TV documentary, this podcast format sometimes has a narrator, and may embrace interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)
Word that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating components of a number of codecs. For instance, the New York Instances’ The Day by day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Who makes podcasts?
Podcasts might be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small staff to a big firm!
What’s a podcast producer?
With regards to podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to verify the present is nearly as good as it may be. They sometimes put on a number of hats, and their duties could embrace discovering company, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and enhancing processes, selling the present, and extra.
Learn how to hearken to a podcast
How simple is it to hearken to a podcast? Fairly darn simple! Right here’s what you’ll want:
- A smartphone, pc, or pill with an web connection.
- A podcast app
You’ll want an internet-connected machine, equivalent to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve obtained this one coated. 😉
Whether or not you’re looking for a particular podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed here are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps might be downloaded to your machine or accessed by way of the online.
So which one must you select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly should you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
If you happen to’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and should you use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the best possibility.
Every app additionally supplies a podcast listing which you could search to search out new reveals. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions based mostly on the reveals you hearken to on the app.
If you end up turning into an avid listener of numerous podcasts, you may discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and arrange numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 p.c of listeners, most apps will do exactly nice.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to hearken to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your machine to hear later. Your podcast app must also will let you “subscribe” to a present so that you’ll be alerted when new episodes are launched.
Some podcast creators additionally make their podcast episodes out there instantly on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of the best way to use an embedded net participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
Learn how to begin a podcast
If you happen to’re all in favour of the best way to begin a podcast, you’re in the correct place! At SPI, we have now a ton of sources for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
So as to begin a podcast, you want just a few key substances:
That’s not all, although, and if you would like the complete scoop, try our “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It contains the lowdown on issues like:
- Selecting a podcast matter you’ll be able to decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And rather more
The “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast simple and doable in an effort to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You too can try our video information to beginning your podcast!
A free guidelines for beginning your podcast
Be sure you don’t miss a step! The Podcast Cheat Sheet provides you all of the steps you should begin your present.
What’s a podcast FAQ
Listed here are some generally requested questions on podcasts, and our solutions!
Why are podcasts referred to as podcasts?
The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s authentic moveable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally instructed “moveable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”
Podcasts vs. radio: What’s the distinction?
Are podcasts the identical as radio reveals? Whereas podcasts and radio share quite a lot of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in quite a lot of methods. You’ll be able to consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed here are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are often edited, whereas radio is often dwell.
- Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals sometimes have to be listened to dwell. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired reveals out there on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes dwell.
- Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material might be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio reveals must fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes might be any size.
- Radio reveals sometimes have increased manufacturing prices, so that they include commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embrace advertisements as a result of the price barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are podcasts free to hearken to?
The most effective issues about podcasts is that they’re often free to obtain and hearken to. Sure, you’ll want a tool to hearken to them and an web connection to obtain them, however the content material itself is usually freed from cost.
Lately, some podcasters have begun creating extra paid content material for his or her subscribers. These paid podcasts have gotten more and more fashionable, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more widespread.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a group of podcasts underneath the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts out there to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast house owners and are an ideal possibility to contemplate as soon as your podcast has grown a bit.
Some podcast networks are targeted on a single theme, whereas others settle for podcasts throughout a variety of subjects. The largest podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What’s a video podcast?
Video podcasts are an more and more fashionable type of podcasting. Because the title suggests, they incorporate video and audio, permitting listeners to see and listen to your content material. Including video to your podcast is often extra work, however it could possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What tools do you should begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “Learn how to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of apparatus you’ll want to start out your individual present. Nevertheless, there are just a few different items of tech to contemplate:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A growth arm and shock mount to scale back undesirable vibrations
- A pop filter to scale back plosives (harsh sounds from sure syllables) in your recordings
- Software program for recording and enhancing, equivalent to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo
Do podcasters earn money from their reveals?
They undoubtedly can, and lots of of them do!
The most typical manner podcasts earn money is thru promoting or sponsorships. You too can use internet affiliate marketing to advertise merchandise in your present and earn a fee when somebody purchases them utilizing your hyperlink.
Our Amp’d Up Podcasting course — out there completely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their reveals whereas additionally decreasing manufacturing time.
Are you prepared to start out your podcasting journey?
I hope this primer on podcasts was useful! Possibly you’re impressed to go discover a new present to subscribe to, and even change into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Professionals and cons of beginning a podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast might be quite a few. A podcast may help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new earnings streams
- Broaden your viewers
On the similar time, podcasting is probably not for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and sources to start out and keep a podcast. To achieve success, you should produce a high-quality present and publish it frequently.
Extra sources for the aspiring podcaster (or simply the pod-curious)
If the thought of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve obtained numerous useful sources should you’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they’ll do that can assist you develop what you are promoting and join along with your viewers.
If you happen to’re all in favour of beginning your individual podcast, our Learn how to Begin a Podcast Information provides you sensible subsequent steps.
However should you’re prepared to start out your podcast in probably the most streamlined manner potential, our Energy-Up Podcasting® 2.0 course is for you. It’s a step-by-step information to launching a profitable podcast that will get discovered and grows your on-line model. You’ll be able to take the course as a part of our All-Entry Cross — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and inspire you in the direction of podcasting success.
You too can discover The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to be taught podcasting the good manner?
The All-Entry Cross neighborhood has the programs, sources, help, and accountability you want.
